JP3156782U - Portable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable electronic device and an operation method therefor are provided. The portable electronic device comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, a sliding module and a rotating module. After the second body portion is slid along the surface of the first portion by the sliding module, the rotating module is promptly triggered to automatically rotate the second body portion to a first angle with respect to the first body portion. The second body portion can be further rotated to a second angle when the second body portion bears a thrust force at the first angle. The portable electronic device can operate in corresponding operation modes according to the angles that the second body portion presents with respect to the first body portion.

Description

The present invention provides a portable electronic device, particularly a portable electronic device having a plurality of operation modes and states.
《Cross-reference to related applications》
This application claims priority based on Taiwan Patent Application No. 097149232 filed on Dec. 17, 2008. This entire application is incorporated herein by reference.

  With advances in manufacturing processes and mobile communication technologies, portable electronic devices are becoming increasingly popular and increasingly smaller. In order to satisfy various user requirements, portable electronic devices with various structures can be designed to provide users with more diverse operation styles.

  For example, current portable electronic devices are larger and wider so that the user can see the information displayed on the screen of the portable electronic device more clearly and can input relatively complex commands Designed to have both a display device and a keyboard with multiple keys. Due to the large volume of these components, the typical portable electronic devices currently available are clamshell shaped or slidable for convenient use.

  The operation of the sliding portable electronic device 1 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The portable electronic device 1 includes a first main body 11 and a second main body 13, the first main body 11 includes a keyboard 111, and the second main body 13 includes a display device 131. More specifically, FIG. 1A illustrates a state in which the portable electronic device 1 is closed. In this state, the portable electronic device 1 has a display device 131 on the front surface of the second main body 13 and a key 15 for executing normal operations such as simple command input and response to an incoming call, which are arranged beside the display device 131. To expose. Referring to FIG. 1B, when it is necessary to input a relatively complicated command from the keyboard, the second main body 13 can be slid with respect to the first main body 11 to expose the keyboard 111.

  When using this conventional portable electronic device, in order to adjust the portable electronic device to a specific angle with respect to the user's eyes in order to make it easy to see according to various usage conditions and ambient brightness, the user must You can only rely on yourself. In other words, when the user operates the portable electronic device under various operating conditions (for example, held in a hand or placed on a desk), the optimal viewing angle of the portable electronic device is different. For this reason, when the portable electronic device is used under various conditions, it is inconvenient for the user because the user's request cannot be satisfied during long-time use if the user simply holds it in his hand and adjusts its orientation. Let's go.

  In view of this point, the present invention provides a portable electronic device that can be operated at various viewing angles regardless of various use conditions.

  One object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device. By using a slide module and a rotation module, this particular structure of the portable electronic device can be automatically tilted at an angle following the slide movement. The user may make further adjustments as desired, so that the portable electronic device of the present invention can provide various display directions, multiple operating modes and states, and meet various usage requirements.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a portable electronic device. This method allows the portable electronic device to operate in various operating modes corresponding to its various angular states, improving the convenience of the portable electronic device.

  The present invention provides a portable electronic device including a first main body, a second main body, a slide module, and a rotation module. The slide module and the rotation module are connected to the first main body and the second main body, and the second main body is moved from the first position (closed state) to the second position by cooperation of the slide module and the rotation module. It slides with respect to the first main body portion (opened state), and then automatically rotates to the third position (the second main body portion is inclined at the first angle with respect to the first main body portion). Thereafter, when the second body portion in the third position receives thrust, the second body portion further rotates to the fourth position (the second body portion is inclined at a second angle with respect to the first body portion). To do. The second main body can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle (referred to as the third angle) within a specific range (between the first angle and the second angle) depending on the user's preference and environmental conditions. I will provide a. Alternatively, after the second body portion automatically tilts to the first angle, the user applies a force to further rotate the second body portion to another predetermined angle (which may be the second angle), So-called click point adjustment is realized. The portable electronic device of the present invention may be configured to have a plurality of click points in order to satisfy various user requirements and provide an optimal effect.

  In the portable electronic device disclosed in the present invention, in the process of sliding the second main body portion from the first position to the second position, the second main body portion and the first main body portion are in structural contact with each other. Limits the movement of the rotating module. Thus, no additional lock, brake, or blocking element is required to prevent operation of the rotating module during sliding of the second body portion.

  In addition, the portable electronic device of the present invention may execute various operation modes when the second main body portion takes the various states described above with respect to the first main body portion. For example, the portable electronic device may execute the first operation mode when the second main body is in the first position. When the second main body is in the second or third position, the portable electronic device executes the second operation mode. When the second main body is further adjusted to the fourth position with respect to the first main body, the portable electronic device executes the third operation mode. Therefore, the user can operate the portable electronic device quickly and conveniently.

  The detailed technology and preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can better understand the features of the present invention.

It is the schematic which illustrates the operating method of a slide type conventional portable electronic device. It is the schematic which illustrates the operating method of a slide type conventional portable electronic device. 1 is a schematic view of a portable electronic device of the present invention in a closed state. 1 is a schematic view of a portable electronic device of the present invention in a closed state. 1 is a schematic view of a portable electronic device of the present invention in an open state. 1 is a schematic view of a portable electronic device of the present invention in an open state. 1 is a schematic view of a portable electronic device of the present invention in an automatically tilted state. 1 is a schematic view of a portable electronic device of the present invention in an automatically tilted state. It is the schematic of the portable electronic device of this invention of another operation state. It is the schematic of the portable electronic device of this invention of another operation state. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a rotation module of the present invention. It is the schematic of the rotation module of this invention of another state. It is the schematic of the rotation module of this invention of another state. It is the schematic of other embodiment of the rotation module of this invention. It is the schematic of other embodiment of the rotation module of this invention. 3 is a flowchart of a method for operating the portable electronic device of the present invention.

  Various operation states of the portable electronic device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2A to 5B. The portable electronic device 2 includes a first main body part 21, a second main body part 23, a slide module (not shown), and a rotation module 6 as main parts. The slide module and the rotation module 6 are connected to the first main body 21 and the second main body 23. The second main body 23 is first moved from the first position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B (portable electronic device 2 is closed) to the second position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B (portable electronic device 2 is opened). The slide module is adapted to slide along the surface 22 of the main body 21. In the present embodiment, the portable electronic device 2 includes two rotation modules 6. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the second main body portion 23 slides to the second position (closed state), the rotation module 6 becomes movable, and the second main body portion 23 is in relation to the first main body portion 21. It automatically rotates to the third position (the second body portion 23 is inclined at the first angle θ with respect to the first body portion). Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when receiving a thrust at the third position (first angle θ), the second main body portion 23 is adapted to rotate from the third position to the fourth position. In the fourth position, the second main body portion 23 is inclined with respect to the first main body portion by a second angle θ ′ that is larger than the first angle θ.

  Similar to the conventional portable electronic device 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the portable electronic device 2 of the present embodiment may include a display device (for example, a touch screen, not shown) disposed on the second main body portion 23. In the first position, the portable electronic device 2 can execute a first operation mode, for example, for a user to communicate with the portable electronic device 2 via a touch screen to perform a man-machine interface (HMI) function. It is possible to display an image in portrait mode. The portable electronic device 2 further includes a keyboard module (not shown) disposed on the surface 22 of the first main body 21, and the user inputs data or operates the portable electronic device 2 to communicate with it. , Allowing to perform HMI functions. In other words, the first main body 21 and the second main body 23 constitute an HMI device and have various states due to relative movement. The portable electronic device 2 may further include a power storage device (not shown) in the first main body 21. The keyboard module and the power storage device increase the weight of the first main body portion 21, and as a result, the center of gravity of the portable electronic device 2 remains at the first main body portion even when the second main body portion 23 rotates relative to the first main body portion. Stay at 21 and never tip over.

  More specifically, the rotation module 6 of the portable electronic device 2 comprises an energy store. After the second body portion 23 slides to the second position, the energy released by the energy store drives the second body portion 23 to the third position (ie, the first angle θ). As shown in FIG. 6, the rotation module 6 of this embodiment is preferably a multi-stage hinge assembly, the energy store is a spring 63, and the rotation module 6 includes a cam structure. The rotation module 6 is connected to the second main body 23, and the energy released from the spring 63 changes the position of the cam structure and rotates the second main body 23.

  More specifically, the rotation module 6 includes a stopper 60, a spindle 61, a spring 63, a first movable part 65, and a second movable part 67. The spindle 61 is a long bar and may be defined to include a first portion 61a and a second portion 61b for purposes of disclosure and description. The stopper 60 is fixed to the first portion 61 a of the spindle 61 so as to oppose the first movable component 65, and the spring 63 is attached to the first portion 61 a between the stopper 60 and the first movable component 65. Both ends of the spring 63 are in contact with the stopper 60 and the first movable part 65, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the spring 63 is preferably a pre-compressed spring (stored in advance with elastic energy) attached to the first portion 61 a of the spindle 61. The maximum distance between the stopper 60 and the first movable part 65 should not exceed the free length of the spring 63 (the length of the spring 63 when no compressive force is applied), as expected. The spring 63 is initially held in a pre-compressed state, and when the elastic force is released, axial thrust is applied along the spindle 61. Further, since one end of the spring 63 contacts the fixed stopper 60, this axial thrust acts from the first portion 61a toward the second portion 61b, and the first movable component 65 moves away from the first portion 61a. It is urged to move to. The energy storage is not limited to a spring, and may be another element capable of storing and releasing energy in other embodiments. One skilled in the art can easily conceive of alternatives.

  In order to realize the bias of the movement in the present embodiment, the spindle 61 is designed to have a non-circular cross section, and the first movable part 65 has a non-circular cross section that is complementary to the cross section of the spindle 61. One axial hole (not shown) is formed. The first movable part 65 can be movably mounted on the spindle 61 by the first axial hole. As expected, since the spindle 61 and the first movable part 65 are fitted by the non-circular cross sections, the movement of the first movable part 65 relative to the spindle 61 is limited. In other words, the first movable part 65 is restricted from rotating with respect to the spindle 61, and only movement along the axis of the spindle 61, that is, so-called non-rotational movement is allowed.

  Next, the relationship between the first movable part 65 and the second movable part 67 will be described. Both the first movable part 65 and the second movable part 67 are generally mounted on the second portion 61 b of the spindle 61. Unlike the first movable part 65 having a non-circular first axial hole, the second movable part 67 includes a second axial hole (not shown) having a substantially circular cross section through which the spindle 61 is inserted. Since the spindle 61 and the second movable part 67 are fitted by the second axial hole having a circular cross section, the second movable part 67 can rotate without moving with respect to the spindle 61.

  In order to rotationally drive the second movable part 67 by the first movable part 65, the first movable part 65 and the second movable part 67 are designed to have a first cam structure 651 and a second cam structure 671, respectively. ing. The first cam structure 651 is formed at one end of the first movable component 65 opposite to the spring 63, and the second cam structure 671 is formed at one end that contacts the first cam structure 651 of the second movable component 67. Is formed. Specifically, each cam structure is formed with an inclined surface. That is, the first cam structure 651 of the first movable part 65 includes a first inclined surface 651a, and the second cam structure 671 of the second movable part 67 includes a second inclined surface 671a. The first inclined surface 651a is operatively engaged with the second inclined surface 671a so that the second inclined surface 671a can slide relative to the first inclined surface 651a. The first inclined surface 651a includes a first engagement end 651b, and the second inclined surface 671a includes a second engagement end 671b. When the second inclined surface 671a slides by a predetermined amount with respect to the first inclined surface 651a, the second engaging end 671b is stopped so that the second engaging end 671b stops by contacting the first engaging end 651b. Engages operatively with the first engagement end 651b.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the spring 63 applies axial thrust along the spindle 61 toward the second portion 61b, so that the first movable component 65 moves away from the first portion 61a. When moved without rotation (ie, toward the second portion 61 b), the first movable component 65 that can only move without rotation relative to the spindle 61 causes the second movable component 67 to move relative to the spindle 61. Drive to rotate without moving. Particularly, due to the interaction between the first cam structure 651 and the second cam structure 671, the second inclined surface 671a of the second movable component 67 slides with respect to the first inclined surface 651a of the first movable component 65. It is adapted to. As a result, the second cam structure 671 rotates from the first engagement position shown in FIG. 6 to the second engagement position shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, in the present embodiment, the rotation module 6 may further include a third movable part 69 having a third axial hole (not shown) through which the spindle 61 is inserted. Similar to the second axial hole of the second movable part 67, the third axial hole of the third movable part 69 also has a substantially circular cross section. The third movable part 69 is mounted on the second portion 61b of the spindle 61 and rotatably engages with one end of the second movable part 67 opposite to the first movable part 65 (that is, the second movable part 67 is the second movable part 67). 1 is arranged between the first movable part 65 and the third movable part 69). When the second movable part 67 rotates from the first engagement position shown in FIG. 6 to the second engagement position shown in FIG. 7, the third movable part 69 also rotates in synchronization with the second movable part 67.

  As illustrated, the second movable part 67 and the third movable part 69 further include a male structure 675 and a female structure 691, respectively. These structures are operatively engaged with each other so that the third movable part 69 is adapted to engage with the second movable part 67. In some embodiments, the third movable part 69 may also rotate without movement relative to the second movable part 67. For example, the male structure 675 is formed at one end of the second movable part 67 that engages with the third movable part 69. The female structure 691 is formed at one end of the third movable part 69 that engages with the second movable part 67. Referring to both FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the male structure 675 is a protrusion, while the female structure 691 is composed of two or more recesses. The protrusion is adapted to engage with the respective recess. When the second movable part 67 and the third movable part 69 are in the second engagement position shown in FIG. 7, the external force further applied to the third movable part 69 causes the third movable part 69 to move to the second movable part 67. The male structure 675 is engaged with another female structure 691. As a result, the third movable part 69 rotates with respect to the second movable part 67 from the second engagement position shown in FIG. 7 to the third engagement position shown in FIG. It should be noted that the form illustrated above is for the purpose of description only, not for limitation. In other embodiments, the male structure 675 and the female structure 691 may be other complementary structures. Further, a larger number of male structures 675 and female structures 691 may be provided. As a result, the third movable component 69 can rotate to three or more engagement positions with respect to the second movable component 67.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the first movable part 65 moves without rotating, the second movable part 67 and the third movable part 69 rotate in accordance with this, and the third movable part 69 rotates. May further rotate relative to the second movable part 67.

  It should be noted that the rotation module 6 of this embodiment is preferably a multi-stage hinge assembly that uses a non-circular spindle 61 with movable parts 65, 67, 69 having different axial holes and structures that cause the necessary relative movement. . Different rotational directions and angles can be obtained with different configurations of axial hole cross-sections, inclined surfaces, or cam structures. In this embodiment, the spindle 61 is fixed, while the second movable part 67 and the third movable part 69 can rotate with respect to the spindle 61. However, as can be seen from the principle of relative movement, a configuration in which the third movable part 69 is fixed and the spindle 61 moves relative thereto may be used. This will be easily understood by those skilled in the art based on the idea of the present invention.

  Next, the relative movement among the first main body 21, the second main body 23, and the rotation module 6 will be further described. Referring to FIGS. 2A to 5B, the second main body portion 23 of the portable electronic device 2 is connected to the third movable part 69 of the rotation module 6 via the connection member 25a. The stopper 60 is integrally connected to the spindle 61 to form a single body. The 1st main-body part 21 is connected to the stopper 60 of the rotation module 6 via another connection member 25b. Only one of the rotation modules 6 will be described below. In the first closed state of the portable electronic device 2, the first main body portion 21 and the second main body portion 23 are adjacent to each other, that is, the lower outer periphery 26 of the second main body portion 23 is the upper outer periphery of the first main body portion 21. 24 is adjacent. Therefore, in this state, any movement of the rotation module 6 is restricted and the energy store is kept in the energy storage state (for example, the spring 63 is in the pre-compressed state).

  3A and 3B, when the user needs to operate the keyboard or when a wider display surface is required, the user moves the second body portion 23 along the surface 22 of the first body portion 21. It can be slid according to the guidance of the slide module to expose the keyboard (typically located on the surface 22). Thereby, the portable electronic device 2 changes from the closed state to the opened state, and the user can input a command to the portable electronic device 2 via the keyboard. In the closed state, the portable electronic device 2 can execute the first operation mode, and when shifting to the open state, the portable electronic device 2 is in the second operation mode, for example, sound output, image display, application execution, or these Combinations can be performed. When the first operation mode is to display an image in the portrait mode, the portable electronic device 2 is automatically adjusted to display the image in the landscape image mode when the portable electronic device 2 is switched to the second operation mode. In other words, the portable electronic device 2 may start or execute a corresponding operation mode depending on the state.

  When the second main body 23 is guided by the slide module and slides to the position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the restraint generated when the lower outer periphery 26 of the second main body 23 abuts the upper outer periphery 24 of the first main body 21. The force disappears and the rotation module 6 is no longer restricted in movement. The elastic energy of the spring 23 is released, and the second movable part 67 of the rotation module 6 is rotated from the first engagement position shown in FIG. 6 to the second engagement position shown in FIG. Thereby, the 1st main-body part 21 and the 2nd main-body part 23 of the portable electronic apparatus 2 become a relative positional relationship shown to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, at this stage, the third movable part 69 is moved to the second movable part by the engagement between the male structure 675 of the second movable part 67 and the female structure 691 of the third movable part 69. Rotating in synchronization with 67, there is no relative rotation between them. In addition, since the stopper 60 is integrally connected to the first main body portion 21 via the connection member 25b, the connection member 25a and the third movable part 69 automatically rotate correspondingly, while the first main body portion is rotated. The connecting member 25b remains stationary at the portion 21. That is, the second body portion 23 automatically rotates with respect to the first body portion 21 to provide an automatic tilt effect. This rotation for automatically tilting the second main body 23 is performed until the first engagement end 651b and the second engagement end 671b of the rotation module 6 are engaged with each other (second engagement position shown in FIG. 7). Continue. At this time, the second body portion 23 forms a first angle θ (that is, the third position) with the first body portion 21. The first angle θ is in the range of approximately 0 ° to 20 °, and is suitable for use in a general hand.

  Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the present embodiment, the user may further adjust the inclination angle of the second main body portion 23 with respect to the first main body portion 21. Specifically, the male structure 675 of the second movable part 67 may be switched between the plurality of female structures 691 depending on the structural configuration of the female structure 691 of the third movable part 69. Thereby, the second main body portion 23 can take several inclination angles with respect to the first main body portion 21. For example, the user may activate the third operation mode by applying a force for rotating the second main body 23 from the first angle θ to a larger second angle θ ′ (for example, the fourth position). The selection and execution of the third operation mode are the same as those in the second operation mode, and description thereof is omitted in this specification. Actually, the second angle θ ′ is in the range of 20 ° to 50 °, which is suitable for the desktop mode in which the portable electronic device 2 is placed on a table and used.

  Further, the female structure 691 of the third movable part 69 and the male structure 675 of the second movable part 67 have the second angle θ ′ of the second body part 23 determined by the force applied to the second body part 23. It may be further designed for. Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, in this embodiment, the applied force causes the second main body portion 23 to move through the third angle θ ″ (not shown) between the first angle θ and the second angle θ ′. The second main body 23 automatically rotates to the second angle θ ′ when it is driven to. In practice, the third angle θ ″ is larger than the first angle θ and does not exceed the second angle θ ′. More specifically, the rotational positioning effect is realized by the relative positional relationship between the female structure 691 of the third movable part 69 and the male structure 675 of the second movable part 67. When the force is received, the third movable part 69 rotates with respect to the second movable part 67. That is, the male structure 675 (that is, the protrusion) of the second movable component 67 slides from one recess of the female structure 691 to another recess and engages. When the structure between two adjacent female structures 691 is designed to be a dome-shaped portion, the male structure 675 extends along the dome-shaped portion where the two female structures 691 are connected to each other from the bottom of the recess. After sliding through the top of the dome-shaped portion (at this time, the second main body portion 23 is inclined at the third angle θ ″), the user stops applying the force to the second main body portion 23. Even so, due to the elastic energy released from the spring 23 and the interaction between the male structure 675 and the female structure 691, the projection further extends along the dome to another recess of the female structure 691. This causes the third movable part 69 to rotate from the second engagement position to the third engagement position, which corresponds to the next operation state of the portable electronic device 2. That is, the second main body 23 is The first inclination angle θ (the first tilt angle) is generated by the action of the applied external force. The click point adjustment is realized by rotating from the third position) to the third angle θ ″ and then automatically tilting to the second angle θ ′ (fourth position). The rotation module 6 of the present invention may have a plurality of click points in order to satisfy various user requirements and provide an optimal effect.

  Note that the dome-shaped portion between two adjacent female structures 691 is provided as an example and not for the purpose of limitation. The structure of the male structure 675 and the female structure 691 may be changed according to actual requirements. For example, in another embodiment, the third angle θ ″ may be determined by stopping the application of force to the second body portion 23. Note that the third angle θ ″ in this specification is the second angle. It may be considered that θ ′. Referring to FIG. 9A, the male structure 675 and the female structure 691 are formed of a material having a large coefficient of friction, and the protrusion of the male structure 675 and the recess of the female structure 691 have flat ends. May be. Further, the distance between two adjacent female structures 691 of the third movable part 69 may be increased to form a flat portion. In this case, when the user does not apply any further force during rotation of the third movable part 69 from the second engagement position to the third engagement position, the male structure 675 is the flat part of the third movable part 69. It may be temporarily stopped by static friction between the protrusion and the flat portion (between two female structures 691). This provides a free stop or free stop effect that lasts until the user determines the optimal viewing angle. In other words, the third angle θ ″ (which may be considered to be the second angle θ ′) formed by the second main body portion 23 with respect to the first main body portion 21 is the second angle at which the user stops applying the force. It may vary depending on the position of the main body 23.

  In another example shown in FIG. 9B, the contact surfaces of the second movable part 67 and the third movable part 69 are made of a material having a sufficiently large friction coefficient, and the spring 63 has a large elastic coefficient (that is, a large elasticity). Energy), the male structure 675 and the female structure 691 may not be present. Instead, the static structure generated when the contact surfaces of the second movable part 67 and the third movable part 69 abut each other. Friction may be used directly for positioning. In this case, when the third movable part 69 rotates from the second engagement position to the third engagement position and the user does not apply further force, the third movable part 69 is placed on the contact surface of the second movable part 67. On the other hand, it may be temporarily stopped at an arbitrary position, thereby realizing a free stop effect. This corresponds to the next operation state of the portable electronic device 2. That is, the second main body 23 is applied from the first inclination angle θ (third position) to the third angle θ ″ (which may be considered as the fourth position corresponding to the second angle θ ′). It is rotated manually by an external force, thereby realizing a free stop effect.

  Another method for increasing the friction between the contact surfaces is to form a plurality of complementary microstructures, for example, a plurality of complementary minute grooves, as the recesses of the female structure 691 and the protrusions of the male structure 675. As a result, the second angle θ ′ or the third angle θ ″ formed by the second main body portion 23 with respect to the first main body portion 21 has a plurality of options of relative angles between the second main body portion 23 and the first main body portion 21. In other words, a person skilled in the art may change the structure of the male structure 675 and the female structure 691 to provide various tilt angles in the second body 23.

  Referring to FIGS. 2A to 4B, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the process of sliding the second main body portion 23 from the closed state to the open state, the second main body portion 23 is placed on the surface 22 of the first main body portion 21. It is emphasized that the second main body portion 23 slides in a direction parallel to the surface 22 of the first main body portion 21 due to the complementary structural relationship between the first main body portion 21, the second main body portion 23, and the slide module. It should be. In this sliding process, any movement of the slide module is restricted by the first main body portion 21 and the second main body portion 23 coming into contact with each other. In other words, no additional locks, brakes or blocking elements are required to stop the rotation module 6. This continues until the second main body portion 23 slides to the open state. At this time, the rotation module 6 is located at the edge of the second main body portion 23 and is no longer restrained by the first main body portion 21 and the second main body portion 23. . Next, the energy stored in advance in the rotating module 6 (that is, the elastic energy stored in the pre-compressed spring 63) is released, and the rotating module 6 operates to change the position of the cam structure. As a result, the second main body portion 23 automatically rotates to the first angle θ with respect to the first main body portion 21 and further rotates to the second angle θ ′ when receiving a force.

  Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for operating the portable electronic device shown in FIG. Since the structure of the portable electronic device to which this method can be applied has already been disclosed in the above embodiment, further description is omitted.

  2A to 5B, when the second main body 23 is in the first position (corresponding to the closed state), the portable electronic device 2 executes the first operation mode, for example, displays an image in the portrait mode. Have been adapted. In step 101, the second main body portion 23 slides on the slide module along the surface 22 of the first main body portion 21 from the first position (corresponding to the closed state) to the second position (corresponding to the open state). To do. As a result, the keyboard module on the surface 22 of the first main body 21 appears, and the user can input a command to the portable electronic device 2. In the process of sliding from the first position (corresponding to the closed state) to the second position (corresponding to the opened state), the second main body 23 abuts on the surface 22 of the first main body 21. Thus, no additional lock, brake or blocking element is required to limit the movement of the rotation module 6.

  When the second main body portion 23 is in the second position, the restraining force generated when the lower outer periphery 26 of the second main body portion 23 contacts the upper outer periphery 24 of the first main body portion 21 disappears. For this reason, in step 102, the rotation module 6 automatically rotates the second main body 23 to the third position (corresponding to the first angle θ) with respect to the first main body 21 to change the second operation mode. Execute. The first angle θ is preferably in the range of 0 ° to 20 °. The second operation mode may be sound output, image display, application execution / start, or a combination thereof.

  More specifically, when the user operates the portable electronic device 2 to execute steps 101 and 102 and the second main body 23 is inclined at the first angle θ, the portable electronic device 2 emits an alarm sound, Notify the user of the current operating mode. Alternatively, the portable electronic device 2 automatically adjusts the display mode, for example, changes from the portrait mode of the first operation mode corresponding to the closed state to the landscape image mode of the second operation mode corresponding to the opened state, Allows the user to enter more complex commands from the keyboard module. The portable electronic device 2 in the second operation mode directly executes a specific application and starts a web browser, a file editor, or the like, for example. As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the second mode of operation is provided for illustrative purposes only and may be defined, selected, and combined by the user according to actual needs. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited in this regard.

  Next, step 103 is executed, the second main body portion 23 is adjusted to the second angle θ ′ with respect to the first main body portion 21, and the third operation mode is executed. The second angle θ ′ is larger than the first angle θ and is preferably in the range of 20 ° to 50 °. More specifically, the step of adjusting the second body portion 23 to the second angle θ ′ with respect to the first body portion 21 is performed by applying a force to the second body portion 23 at the first angle θ.

  As disclosed in the above embodiment, the process of rotating the second body portion 23 from the first angle θ to the second angle θ ′ with respect to the first body portion 21 may include at least the following two methods. That is, (a) the step of adjusting the second main body portion 23 to the second angle θ ′ is executed by applying a force to the second main body portion 23, and the second main body portion 23 has the first angle θ and the second angle θ. The third angle θ ″ between “,” and then automatically rotates from the third angle θ ″ to the second angle θ ′. This achieves so-called click point adjustment. Alternatively, (b) by applying force, the second main body portion 23 rotates from the first angle θ to the third angle θ ″, and then stops applying force (in this case, the third angle θ ″ is It may be considered that the angle is 2 '). Thereby, a so-called free or free stop effect is obtained. As described above, when the second main body 23 is inclined at the second angle θ ′ or the third angle θ ″, the portable electronic device 2 automatically executes the third operation mode. Selection of the third operation mode In addition to the relative movement relationship between the first main body portion 21 and the second main body portion 23, these operation modes are realized in the same manner as in the second operation mode. The rotation module 6 used for this purpose has already been disclosed in the above embodiment.

  According to the above description, in the portable electronic device of the present invention, one of the main body portions automatically tilts to a specific angle following the relative sliding movement, and then depends on the usage conditions of the portable electronic device. Instead, the user may adjust the main body to any desired angle. On the other hand, depending on the relative angle of the main body, the portable electronic device may execute a corresponding operation mode. Thus, the portable electronic device is convenient to use.

  The above disclosure relates to the detailed technical contents and original features of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may envision various changes and substitutions based on the above disclosure and suggestions of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications and substitutions are not fully disclosed in the above description, but are substantially included in the appended claims.

6 Rotating Module 21 First Main Body 22 Surface 23 Second Main Body 63 Spring (Energy Storage)
651 First cam structure 671 Second cam structure

Claims (19)

A first body portion;
A second body portion;
A slide module connected to the first body portion and the second body portion for guiding the second body portion from the first position to the second position along the surface of the first body portion;
A rotation module connected to the first body part and the second body part;
After the second body portion slides to the second position, the rotating module automatically rotates the second body portion to a third position that forms a first angle with respect to the first body portion, and When the two main body portions receive thrust, the second main body portion is further rotated by action from the third position to the fourth position that forms a second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the first main body portion. Electronic equipment.   2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein during sliding from the first position to the second position, the second body portion abuts on the surface of the first body portion to restrain the rotating module.   The rotation module includes an energy reservoir capable of releasing energy for driving the second body part to rotate to the third position after the second body part slides to the second position. Item 3. The portable electronic device according to Item 2.   The rotating module is a multi-stage hinge assembly, the energy storage is a spring, the multi-stage hinge assembly includes a cam structure connected to the second body portion, and the energy released from the spring is: The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the cam structure can be moved to rotationally drive the second main body.   The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the first angle is in a range of approximately 0 ° to 20 °, and the second angle is in a range of approximately 20 ° to 50 °.   The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the second angle is determined by the thrust applied to the second main body portion.   The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the second angle is determined by stopping the application of the thrust to the second main body.   When the thrust drives the second body part to a third angle greater than the first angle and less than the second angle with respect to the first body part, the second body part automatically moves to the second angle. The portable electronic device according to claim 6 that rotates.   The keyboard module disposed on the surface of the first main body, a power storage unit disposed in the first main body, and a display device disposed on the second main body. A portable electronic device according to claim 1.   3. The first operation mode, the second operation mode, and the third operation mode can be executed when the second main body portion is in the first position, the third position, and the fourth position, respectively. The portable electronic device as described.   The portable electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the second operation mode or the third operation mode is selected from the group consisting of sound output, image display, application execution, and a combination thereof.   The portable electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the first operation mode displays an image in a portrait mode, and the second operation mode or the third operation mode displays an image in a landscape image mode. A method of operating a portable electronic device comprising a first body portion and a second body portion and capable of executing a first operation mode when the second body portion is in a first position,
Automatically rotating the second body portion relative to the first body portion to a first angle to enable execution of a second mode of operation;
Adjusting the second body portion to a second angle greater than the first angle relative to the first body portion to allow execution of a third mode of operation. Prior to the step of automatically rotating the second body portion to a first angle with respect to the first body portion, the second body portion is moved from the first position to the second position of the first body portion. Further comprising sliding along the surface;
14. The method of claim 13, wherein during sliding from the first position to the second position, the second body portion abuts against the surface of the first body portion to stop the rotation module from operating.   The step of adjusting the second body part to the second angle with respect to the first body part includes applying a thrust to the second body part inclined at the first angle. Method.   The step of applying a thrust to the second main body includes a step of applying the thrust to the second main body until the second main body reaches the second angle with respect to the first main body. Item 16. The method according to Item 15.   The step of applying a thrust to the second body portion includes the second body until the second body portion is at a third angle greater than the first angle and smaller than the second angle with respect to the first body portion. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: applying the thrust to a portion, wherein the second body portion automatically rotates from the third angle to the second angle.   15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second or third mode of operation is selected from the group consisting of sound output, image display, application execution, and combinations thereof.   The method according to claim 14, wherein the first operation mode displays an image in a portrait mode, and the second operation mode or the third operation mode displays an image in a landscape mode.

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